Up Helly Aa Viking festival

January 31, 2012 8:41 PM

'Guizers' with flaming torches are pictured with a Viking Galley in Lerwick, on the Shetland Isles, off the north-east coast of Scotland, during the Up Helly Aa Viking festival.

'Guizers' with flaming torches are pictured with a Viking Galley in Lerwick, on the Shetland Isles, off the north-east coast of Scotland, during the Up Helly Aa Viking festival.

Photo: Danny Lawson, Associated Press

'Guizers' with flaming torches are pictured with a Viking... Photo-2241538.36678 - Houston Chronicle

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A member of the Viking Jarl Squad attends the annual Up Helly Aa Festival. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. less

A member of the Viking Jarl Squad attends the annual Up Helly Aa Festival. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival ... more

Photo: ANDY BUCHANAN, AFP/Getty Images

A member of the Viking Jarl Squad attends the annual Up Helly Aa... Photo-2241539.36678 - Houston Chronicle

Image 3 of 9

Members of the Viking Jarl Squad surround their leader or 'Guizer Jarl' on a Viking galley ship.

Members of the Viking Jarl Squad surround their leader or 'Guizer Jarl' on a Viking galley ship.

Originating in the 1880s, the tradition which celebrates Shetland's Norse heritage, sees around 900 guizers drag a Viking galley through the streets of Lerwick, led by a horde of 'Vikings'. The festival, that attracts thousands of revelers each year , culminates in the burning of the Viking galley. less

Originating in the 1880s, the tradition which celebrates Shetland's Norse heritage, sees around 900 guizers drag a Viking galley through the streets of Lerwick, led by a horde of 'Vikings'. The festival, that ... more

Photo: Danny Lawson, Associated Press

Originating in the 1880s, the tradition which celebrates... Photo-2241542.36678 - Houston Chronicle

Image 5 of 9

Participants dressed in armour and holding Viking war-axes and shields take part in a procession during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands.

Participants dressed in armour and holding Viking war-axes and shields take part in a procession during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands.